Cathedral Congregation News
March 2010
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From the Vicar The congregation’s annual Lenten retreat, on Saturday, March 27, will offer a perfect way to enter into the full measure of Holy Week that begins on Palm Sunday. Holy Week is marked by immense joy and devastating loss. Jesus’ faithfulness through it all leads him to a new and transformed life. Easter promises the same to us. It’s been said that God will never ask of us anything more than God asked of his son. And so in some ways, Holy Week serves as a microcosm of the exaltation and loneliness, sacrificial love and betrayal, doubt and faithfulness, false promises and honesty that we know in our own lives. The Rev. Barbara Crafton, our retreat leader, will explore with us how these realities of life are opportunities for resurrection, if only we will be open to the working of the Spirit.  Theologian Penelope Mark-Stuart writes that we frequently fail to appreciate the healing gifts of Lent because we are unaware we need them. “The false gods of today do an excellent job of keeping us distracted. Eat! Drink! Work! Party! Shop! they tell us, and the painful, unhealthy, diseased areas of our lives are kept comfortably anesthetized. But when we venture to a place and time free of distractions, we can come to know that the diversions these gods offer us are, in fact, bondage.” Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness—a place and time free of distractions—to get clear about faithfulness and all the false gods that were trying to claim his allegiance. Our retreat will provide us with a few hours free of distractions for guided meditations, Eucharist, and lunch to explore how we might be receptive to Easter’s offer of new life. Barbara Crafton is a nationally noted author and retreat leader, and I know you will find her engaging. I hope you will plan to join us on Saturday, March 27. If someone you know might be interested in learning more about the Cathedral Congregation, invite them to join you. Registration information is below. Congregation Retreat: Saturday, March 27, 9 am–3:30 pm; book signing to follow  If it’s true that everyone really has only one sermon, here is mine: Life is hard, but God is good. I have been thinking for some years about the emotional rhythm of human life — the normal rhythm of it, as well as the rhythm of its disturbance. We will look back at our lives, the joys and sorrows of them, and come to terms with the presence of God in it all. —Barbara Crafton Join us for a Lenten retreat led by the Rev. Barbara Crafton. She is an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and author of many books as well as the celebrated “Almost Daily eMo.” Open to congregation members and those who regularly join us in fellowship. Register » Music during Lent and Holy Week  Perhaps you have caught glimpses of the rehearsals of the Cathedra, the Cathedral’s new professional choir and ensemble players assembled for a series of Lenten concerts? You have one more chance to catch a performance, this Friday, March 19, for a program of French Lenten works » If tradition strikes a chord with you, plan on the annual St. John Passion, a highlight of Palm Sunday. Of course, many of the services of Holy Week feature a rotating cast of our Cathedral musicians. Looking for a new or different musical experience? There’s Contemplative Evening Prayer with chant on Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday. And there’s no better way to end Easter Day festivities than with the annual Easter Day Organ Recital featuring our own Scott Dettra at the console. Member Highlight  Meet Dottie Woodcock. Dottie is a congregation member and member of the Cathedral Chapter. Learn about her passion for the Cathedral and why she thinks no one should take the Cathedral for granted. Read on » Urban Ministry  March is Cathedral Scholars Month Offer a summer internship to one of our participants in the Cathedral’s summer youth education and leadership program. Bright and capable students seek positions from one to five days per week during the summer. These DC Public School rising seniors are in classes in the mornings and, following lunch, proceed to work internships to gain valuable experience and contribute their skills. Program employers are encouraged to pay at least minimum wage. For more information, please email scholar@cathedral.org or call Myra Garnes Shuler at (202) 537-2159. Learn more » Lord, how can I be an instrument of thy peace?  If you witnessed the extraordinary public forum at the conclusion of the Christian-Muslim Summit on March 3, you know that this inter-religious milestone marked a new step toward recognizing shared beliefs upon which to promote peace and reconciliation efforts worldwide. The focus of the summit was on leadership; however, the message was clear. Peacemaking is not just for clergy and politicians. Each of us in our daily lives are challenged to reach out and understand “the other.” The Summit participants expressed a firm conviction that believers must become active agents of concrete change. If you are looking for “grassroots” tools, watch the public dialogue, download the Call and Commitment to Action, and follow the resource links provided by the participants. Explore the summit’s work and watch the public dialogue » Palestine-Israel Advocacy Group This new group, the first of the Cathedral Advocacy groups focusing on global issues, has been born in concert with the Episcopal Policy Office and the new diocesan Partnership Agreement with the Diocese of Jerusalem. Building on the expertise in our Cathedral congregation, the group was formed to study, educate, and advocate for the urgent need for justice, peace, and reconciliation between Israel and Palestine. Please join us for either or both events. Monday April 12, 7 pm, Perry Auditorium Monday, April 19, 7 pm, Perry Auditorium |
Congregation Eucharist and Fellowship Wednesday, March 17, 6:30 pm 20th Century France: Duruflé Requiem, Four Lenten motets, and Mass in G by Poulenc Friday, March 19, 7:30 pm Listening, Hearing, and Living Series: Shared learning with Benedictine leaders Saturday, March 20, 10:15 am Martha’s Table Food Contribution Drop-off Sunday, March 21 and the third Sunday of every month, 8:30–11:15 am New member orientation Sunday, March 21, 12:45 pm Holy Eucharist with Hymns: Annunciation of our Lord Thursday, March 25, noon J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion Sunday, March 28, 4 pm Cathedral Crossroads: Heartcall: Align with the Divine through Movement, Music, and Metaphor March 30, Tuesday, 6:30 pm Holy Week morning Eucharist Monday–Friday, 7:30 am, St. Joseph’s Chapel The Great Vigil of Easter The first celebration of the Resurrection, Saturday, April 3, 8 pm Easter Day Organ Recital with Scott Dettra Sunday, April 4, 5:15 pm School of Prayer Six-week Spring Session Wednesdays beginning April 7, 7 pm Cathedral Literacy Workshop Saturday, April 10, 9:45 am – 12 noon, Cathedral South Tower, S-4 | |
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